Governments A way to classify governments is by determining how the power in the government is distributed. SS7CG6 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. a.Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal. b. Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic. c. Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential

The Way Governments Distribute Power Unitary Confederation Federal

Unitary A form of government where the power is held by one central authority Examples: Parliament in the UK Japan Many African Countries Benefits: Every citizen in the country is entitled to the same rights and benefits. Unitary systems make it easier to maintain a sense of national identity. Unitary systems tend to run more smoothly because policy is easier to implement and less effort is spent sorting out who should do what.

Confederation When independent countries agree to work together to secure a common purpose They limit some of their freedoms to compromise and work together Examples: European Union OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries United Nations

Federal A form of government where power is shared between one central government and several regional authorities. Examples: The U.S.A. is divided into the national government and the state governments. India

How Gov’ts Determine Citizen Participation Autocracy/autocratic Oligarchy/oligarchic Democracy/democratic

Autocratic Gov’t Citizen Participation One person possesses unlimited power Citizen has little, if any, role in the gov’t Example: dictators Saddam Hussein in Iraq China Many African countries Cuba

Oligarchic Gov’t Citizen Participation Gov’t by the few Sometimes a gov’t in which a small group exercises control, especially for corrupt and selfish purposes Citizen has very limited role

Democratic Gov’t Citizen Participation Gov’t where people (citizens) have the power Citizens participate in free elections to choose their gov’t representation BrainPop

Two main forms of Democratic Gov’ts Parliamentary Presidential

Parliamentary A system of gov’t where executive power is held by members of legislature May have a prime minister elected by the legislature

Presidential A system where the executive (president) is independent of the legislature President doesn’t make laws, but can encourage legislature to create certain laws

THE END! Keep this graphic organizer all year!!!